2019 NFL Draft: Grades for every first-round pick

9. Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Grade: A

The Buffalo Bills snagging Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver at number nine is my favorite pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Oliver is one of the most gifted prospects in this draft class and has massive upside at the next level. On top of that, he fills an obvious need for Buffalo on the inside.

Oliver has a ridiculous first step, creating elite upfield burst on the pass rush from the inside. He is an elite athlete at the defensive tackle position, showing fantastic quickness and overall mobility in both the pass rush and in run defense.

His career is going to take off in Buffalo. Sean McDermott knows how to take advantage of his defensive players. He is going to stick Oliver in the three-technique and let this shoot the gap and get after the quarterback.

While he primarily played inside in college, I think Oliver can play a bit on the outside at the next level. His combination of power and quickness will play anywhere up front and I could easily see the Bills use him as a defensive end on early downs and kick him inside when they think pass is coming.

A true one-gap penetrator, Oliver is going to be a playmaker in the middle of the Bills defense for a very long time. Fantastic pick for a team that is undoubtedly heading in the right direction.